An improved procedure for the development of human mast cells from dispersed fetal liver cells in serum-free culture medium

The in vitro development of human mast cells from fetal Liver cells with re combinant human stem cell factor in serum-containing RPMI was compared to t hat in AIM-V media with and without serum. Compared to serum-containing med ia, AIM-V medium caused mast cells to develop earlier and in greater number s. By 2 weeks, about 60% of cells in serum-free AIM-V medium were phenotypi c mast cells, similar to 2 times the percentages in serum-containing media. By 6 weeks the percentages of mast cells were greater than or equal to 80% under all conditions, but the number of mast cells was 3-4-fold greater in serum-free AIM-V medium than in serum-supplemented media. Mast cells obtai ned in serum-free AIM-V medium exhibited rounded nuclei, like tissue-derive d mast cells; mast cells obtained in serum-supplemented media had segmented nuclei. By 10-12 weeks of culture about 40% of the AIM-V-derived cells sho wed strong chymase immunocytochemical staining, a pattern observed for only 14% of the cells in serum-containing media. AIM-V medium is a suitable med ium for the development of human mast cells in vitro, and permits an earlie r, more selective and greater expansion of mast cells than serum-containing media. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.